1) The first sixty pages of Les Misérables is dedicated to describing the personality, actions, sayings, and values of Bishop Myriel, a character who does not appear in any other part of the book. Why do you think the author chose to do this?

2) Much of the book is dedicated to describing the plight of the poor in 19th century France. Victor Hugo distinguishes between a few different types of impoverished people. Identify a few of these different types, then compare and contrast them.

3) Many impoverished characters in Les Misérables suffer in different ways. How does the gender of each character influence the difficulties they must overcome?

4) What is Hugo’s perspective on justice? How is it similar to and different from the legal definition of justice? Are there characters that embody these differing ideas of what justice means?

5) Les Misérables is well known for its large cast of characters. Who is your favorite character, and why? How does Hugo develop this character’s personality in the narrative?

6) Though Les Misérables is strongly informed by its historical context, it also contains timeless themes. What is one incident, character, or idea that remains particularly pertinent today?

7) Do you think Javert is justified in going to such lengths to pursue Jean Valjean? Why or why not?

8) Les Misérables contains many cases of people discovering someone’s hidden identity. Describe one such episode, and explain its significance in the narrative.

9) Why do you think Hugo chose to write about the unsuccessful uprising of 1832 rather than other, more successful insurrections? Successful insurrections could include the uprising that removed the Bourbon kings from power or the French Revolution itself. What themes in the narrative does this focus support?

10) Éponine is perhaps one of the most memorable characters in the novel. Do you think her actions are primarily selfish or selfless?

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